Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology
A section of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524).
Section Information
The knowledge of postharvest physiology and pathology helps to understand the basic biological changes and underlying mechanisms that occur in a detached fresh or fresh-cut organ from the moment of harvest until it is consumed, whether fresh, fresh-cut, or cooked. This may take a few days or up to one year; regardless, the fresh or fresh-cut produce should maintain its external, internal, and sensorial quality. Postharvest technology is used to manage the harvesting, handling, storage, and marketing conditions that lead to extended shelf life and better quality of harvested produce.
Despite the remarkable progress in increasing food production worldwide, approximately half of the population in developing countries does not have access to adequate food supply. Thus, the food safety and security problem is worsening. Plants or plant parts continue to function metabolically after harvest and are subjected to physiological, pathological, biochemical, and sensorial deterioration and loss. The magnitude of postharvest losses in fresh and fresh-cut produce is estimated to be 5% to 25% in developed countries and 25% to 50% in developing countries. This enormous waste of fresh food poses a significant economic, social, and ecological challenge for humanity, indicating the need to improve current practices to understand and develop new means to reduce this loss. Technological advances—like the online monitoring of the environment and the produce state, or the active modulation of storage conditions, in parallel with increased public awareness of food quality and safety—introduce both opportunities as well as challenges to the field.
In the Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology Section, we welcome original manuscripts of diverse types concerning recent insights, approaches, and advances in the pre- and postharvest harvesting, handling, and marketing of perishable fresh produce aiming to preserve its quality and reduce losses during prolonged storage and shelf life. We also welcome innovative applied research aiming to maintain fresh produce quality.
In particular, Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology welcomes contributions by early career researchers and propositions for research topics. In addition, we invite senior scientists to initiate and serve as Guest Editors of new Special Issues on a single and particular theme.
Keywords
- ripening
- senescence
- deterioration
- ethylene
- respiration
- cold storage
- controlled atmosphere storage
- aroma volatiles
Editorial Board
Topical Advisory Panel
Special Issues
Following special issues within this section are currently open for submissions:
- Applied Artificial Intelligence in Digital Horticulture: Practices and Innovations (Deadline: 5 December 2024)
- Next-Generation Postharvest Strategies: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Enhancing Fruit and Vegetable Quality and Safety (Deadline: 15 December 2024)
- Pre/Post-harvest Treatments to Improve Quality and Longevity of Cut Flowers (Deadline: 20 December 2024)
- Advanced Postharvest Technology in Processed Horticultural Products (Deadline: 25 December 2024)
- Emerging Trends and Progress in Postharvest Management: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Quality Preservation, Loss Reduction, and Sustainability (Deadline: 25 December 2024)
- Postharvest Handling and Nondestructive Detection of Fresh Horticulture Crops (Deadline: 31 December 2024)
- Phytochemicals of Natural Products: Analysis and Biological Activities: 2nd Edition (Deadline: 15 January 2025)
- Postharvest Application of Edible Coatings on Fruits and Vegetables (Deadline: 20 January 2025)
- Application of Non-destructive Detection Techniques in Horticultural Plants (Deadline: 20 January 2025)
- Advances in Postharvest Packaging and Preservation Techniques (Deadline: 30 January 2025)
- Recent Advances in the Postharvest and Processing Technologies of Horticultural Crops: New Perspectives and Applications (Deadline: 15 February 2025)
- Fruits Quality and Sensory Analysis—2nd Edition (Deadline: 20 February 2025)
- Research on Molecular Mechanism of Fruit Softening (Deadline: 28 February 2025)
- Postharvest Physiology of Horticultural Crops (Deadline: 20 March 2025)
- Postharvest Quality Characteristics and Storage Life of Horticultural Products (Deadline: 20 March 2025)
- Edible Films and Coatings for the Postharvest Management of Horticultural Products (Deadline: 21 April 2025)
- Postharvest Physiology and Preservation Technology of Horticultural Plants (Deadline: 30 April 2025)
- Fruit Quality and Biochemical Characteristics During Post Harvest Storage and Processing (Deadline: 10 May 2025)
- New Strategies to Preserve Quality during Postharvest Storage (Deadline: 31 May 2025)
- Storage and Quality Management of Horticultural Products—2nd Edition (Deadline: 15 July 2025)
- Postharvest Treatments and Storage Technologies Applied to Ensure the Quality and Shelf-Life of Fruits and Vegetables (Deadline: 20 August 2025)
Topical Collections
Following topical collections within this section are currently open for submissions:
- More than a Wrap: The Role of Fruit Skin in Defining Fruit Storability and Quality (Closed)
- New Advances in Fruit Quality: Pre-harvest Techniques and Postharvest Management
- Nutritive Value, Polyphenolic Content, and Bioactive Constitution of Green, Red and Flowering Plants-Volume II
- Postharvest Handling of Horticultural Crops (Closed)